A few months ago- maybe even a year ago- Benjy “decorated” our computer with some Hello Kitty stickers he found lying around.  It wasn’t the best of surprises I’ll admit, our laptop now looks rather ridiculous, but I never even considered taking them off.

And here’s why:  before it was just a laptop- a vehicle for doing- for emailing, working, wasting gobs and gobs of time.

But now it’s a memory.

It reminds me of the trip to McDonald’s where we got the Hello Kitty stickers and Hello Kitty plastic ring.

It reminds me of a time before kids when I swore I’d never take my kids to McDonald’s EVER.

It reminds me of Benjy’s love of stickers.

It reminds me that any time a child is too quiet, he’s up to something.

Yes, now the computer doesn’t look as perfect as it did when it came out of the box, but I smile every time I see those stickers.  Those totally ridiculous stickers.

And this, my friends is why I’m not a studio photographer.

WHAT?!  You’re thinking .  How did she end up there?

I’m not a studio photographer, because I like the imperfections.

I know that when you go to a studio, everything will look perfect.  The black screen will be just so, the lighting will be perfect, and people will emerge with a nice, clean family photo.

There’s nothing wrong with that.  I understand the appeal.  The new, clean, out-of-the-box, non-stickered laptop.

But what I LOVE are the images of the everyday.  I don’t mind turning up to a family’s house and seeing toys strewn about, the toddler’s face a mess, and breakfast dishes on the table.  If I get to photograph that, you’ll remember that her favorite toy was the wooden duck, her nose was constantly running that winter, and the only way she’d eat her breakfast was with the pink bowl and yellow bib.

You’ll remember that you felt life was so chaotic you could barely hang on, but hang on you did.  You made it.

You’ll remember that amidst the chaos, you found time to play.  Indeed, that you found playing more important than those stupid breakfast dishes, which really might sit there until dinner if you’re honest.

This is also why I’m so honest on my blog.  I can’t expect you to open your hearts and lives to me if I don’t let you into my own heart and my own life.  My perfect client says, “I’m so not perfect, but man, I know how to LOVE.  Please show me LOVING.”

I might not get a perfectly in-focus shot of the entire family looking at the camera and smiling (although, I’ll try- I promise), but if you let me, I WILL show you loving each other.  I absolutely promise that.

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